Questions and Replies
11 May 2023 - NW1509
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What active monitoring systems has her department put in place to ensure full compliance with animal biosecurity measures across the Republic; (2) what remedial action does her department pursue to ensure full compliance for areas that constantly fail to comply with biosecurity measures that are in place; (3) whether her department has identified any current active hotspot areas for animal biosafety intervention; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Active surveillance of high impact animal diseases is taking place and the general farming community is advised to observe and report all conditions to the nearest State Veterinarian.
2. Most of the time a farm that experiences outbreaks of animal disease is quarantined. The farmers are advised to establish their own biosecurity protocols and to observe those principles. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development establishes guidelines in terms of Veterinary Procedural Notices (VPN) to guide all in sundry on the necessary approaches.
3. Yes. Areas around the Kruger National Park are hotspots for animal diseases. The other area of concern is Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve and other game parks.
11 May 2023 - NW1326
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What measures of intervention will her department take either directly or through the African Union to resolve the growing crisis in Sudan?
Reply:
On 16 April 2023, South Africa as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) participated in its emergency meeting and received an update on the situation in Sudan by the AU PSC chair for the month of April 2023 and by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. PSC Members noted with deep concern the escalation of violence and called for parties to halt hostilities immediately, and the return to the negotiations led by the AU, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations (UN).
The South African Government has since welcomed the start of pre-negotiation talks between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces which commenced in Saudi Arabia on 6 May 2023. South Africa further reiterates the centrality of the African Union and IGAD in the pre-negotiation and subsequent talks to ensure long-standing solutions to challenges faced by Sudan.
11 May 2023 - NW1184
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
In light of the fact that the agricultural sector is both labour and technology intensive, what was the cost of (a) labour and (b) machinery and/or technology in the year 2022 and (c) how were the medium and small-scale farmers given relief from the specified cost factors in the specified period?
Reply:
(a)(b) The business analysis and approval of submissions made by prospective producers for assistance are against a standardised measure of guidance as given through computerised budget (commonly called ComBud). Based on economic data generated the enterprise budget per hectare of a commodity under analysis is determined/created to guide an approval process.
The general norm for these two production factors is that labour contributes approximately 15% cost to the total farming cost while machinery contributes approximately 9% cost to the total gross value of the operation. Thus, the Department provides support using such margins as apportioned per data attributed to a commodity per given geographical area.
It should be noted that labour classification includes both seasonal and permanent personnel while the kind of commodity being analysed for support might include a variety of machines (this includes combine harvester, fertilizer equipment, planting equipment, spaying equipment etc.) and all are measured and costed.
(c) DALRRD through producer support programmes like Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Land Development Support (LDS), Ilima//Letsema, Blended Funding Scheme (BFS), and Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs) assisted small and medium scale farmers with mechanisation and overhead related costs including labour for the specified period.
11 May 2023 - NW1346
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to Hopefield Farm about 20 kilometers outside Komani in the Eastern Cape, which is a state-owned farm that had been lying fallow when the members of Nonkebhotani Agricultural Cooperative started utilising the land to eke out a living after reaching a verbal agreement with her department, (a) what are the reasons that the cooperative was allegedly unceremoniously and unlawfully evicted from the farm on 26 June 2021, after almost 20 years of occupation and (b) what are the reasons that an alternative farm was not allocated to the cooperative; (2) whether her department is prepared to compensate the cooperative for the losses incurred when the eviction took place; if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
1. Hopefield farm falls under the portfolio of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, not the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
(a), (b) Falls Away.
2. Falls Away.
10 May 2023 - NW1282
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether Mr Thabo Bester has a South African identity document (ID); if not, what (a) are the reasons that the specified person was allowed to remain in prison for such a long period without an ID and (b) total number of inmates are in correctional facilities in the Republic without IDs?
Reply:
No, Thabo Bester does not have an Identity Document- at least not one issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
a) The question should be referred to the Department of Correctional Services
b) The Department does not do any audit of inmates at Correctional Services facilities. We expect the Department to approach us if there are any issues of identity to be dealt with.
END
10 May 2023 - NW993
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Which support is offered to parents who have lost children through the (a) pit toilets and (b) transport system which she refused to prioritise and regulate?
Reply:
(a) Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provincial Education Departments are the two provinces that had such cases and can be best placed to respond on what form of support they offered to parents.
(b) The Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, have developed a National Learner Transport Policy (NLTP); which was approved by Cabinet in 2015, with the sole intention of regulating the implementation of learner transport programme. The Learner Transport Programme is a shared responsibility between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Transport.
The provisioning and prioritisation of learner transport programme is a provincial competency; and the national Departments of Basic Education and Transport monitor the provisioning of learner transport programme in provinces. The National Policy provides that national government will oversee the implementation of the Policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including provinces, municipalities and school governing bodies (SGBs) amongst others.
In cases where parents have lost their children through subsidised learner transport programme, the provincial Departments of Education and Transport provide psycho-social support to the affected learners and parents.
10 May 2023 - NW1313
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures of intervention has she put in place to ensure that Grade 12 markers of examinations do not repeat the same mistake of incorrectly recording learners’ marks, as was the case with Marveke Shibambu, who had to repeat the specified grade and could not pursue studies in medicine?
Reply:
The error that affected Marveke Shibambu in the November 2022 examination, is regretted; and is certainly the exception to the highly rigorous processes and control measures in place in the national examination system.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has developed over the years a rigorous and robust National Marking system that targets zero defect at every step. Answer scripts from every examination centre, are subjected to four levels of moderation and a range of checks and control measures, and this avoids errors. The DBE on an annual basis conducts a review of all its processes with the individual Provincial Education Departments, post the examination; and the error that occurred will be thoroughly discussed, and additional measures will be put in place to mitigate errors of this nature.
The Provincial Education Department (PED) has completed a full enquiry on this error and has established that this is an administrative error relating to mark transfer from one document to another. There are tracking mechanisms in place on candidate scripts and control sheets with responsibility codes attached to Markers and Administrators, that would have gone through this script. The implicated individual has been identified and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
It also needs to be noted that the DBE has an appeal process in place to allow candidates who think they may have been disadvantaged to request for a remark or a recheck and also to view their scripts. This is part of the principle of fairness and justice in the examination process.
The DBE will continue to reinforce its oversight and control of marking and moderation processes and PEDs will be instructed and supported to improve their control measures based on the review that will be conducted with each province. The DBE will also embark on standardising the roles and responsibilities of Examination Assistants and Quality Checkers to ensure greater accountability across the value-chain of the marking process. In standardising the roles and responsibilities, one of the examples to be used is the error that affected Marveke Shibambu especially its negative impact on a learner's life career.
10 May 2023 - NW1343
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a)(i) total number of schools in the Republic and (ii) in each province have (aa) generators, (bb) uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems and (cc) both generators and UPS systems and (b) is the name of each specified school?
Reply:
(a)(i) (aa) (bb) (cc)
Province |
(a)(ii) |
(aa) |
(bb) |
(cc) |
|
Total No. of Schools |
Generators |
UPS |
Generators and UPS |
||
All Schools |
Public Schools |
||||
EC |
5 311 |
5 046 |
** |
* |
** |
FS |
1 029 |
953 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
GP |
2 991 |
2 056 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
KZN |
6 021 |
5 895 |
51 |
8 |
10 |
LP |
3 847 |
3 646 |
** |
** |
** |
MP |
1 784 |
1 673 |
156 |
5 |
9 |
NC |
586 |
545 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
NW |
1 548 |
1 448 |
66 |
0 |
0 |
WC |
1 754 |
1 464 |
** |
** |
** |
National |
24 871 |
22 726 |
310 |
13 |
19 |
**Note: Schools have been installing Generator, UPS and Solar systems using school budgets and provinces are in the process of collecting the information to update the infrastructure system.
(b) Annexure A is attached
10 May 2023 - NW1327
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What number of (a) calls and/or queries to the Home Affairs Call Centre that is contactable on 0800601190 are successfully answered and resolved on average (i) in each (aa) day, (bb) week and (cc) month, (ii) in the past year and (iii) since 1 January 2023 and (b) officials are employed at the specified call centre?
Reply:
(a)(i) The number of calls to the Home Affairs Contact Centre toll-free number: 0800601190 received during 2022 are as follows:
aa) Daily average calls for the period under question is 2647 calls
bb) Weekly average calls answered for the period is 12828
cc) Monthly calls answered, cases created and resolved are as below
Month |
Calls Answered |
Cases Created |
Cases Resolved |
Percentage Resolved |
Jan-22 |
41474 |
17850 |
16065 |
90% |
Feb-22 |
41953 |
16151 |
14374 |
89% |
Mar-22 |
76536 |
19889 |
18098 |
91% |
Apr-22 |
58116 |
13247 |
11922 |
90% |
May-22 |
65736 |
19827 |
17844 |
90% |
Jun-22 |
57940 |
12267 |
11040 |
90% |
Jul-22 |
58796 |
17034 |
15160 |
89% |
Aug-22 |
65180 |
18406 |
16197 |
88% |
Sep-22 |
61436 |
13389 |
11648 |
87% |
Oct-22 |
50871 |
12935 |
10994 |
85% |
Nov-22 |
52417 |
13523 |
10953 |
81% |
Dec-22 |
36649 |
6488 |
5190 |
80% |
Total calls |
667104 |
181006 |
159953 |
88% |
(a)(ii) Total calls answered by the Contact Centre through the 0800601190 number for 2022 calendar year is 667104
(a)(iii) Calls answered by the Contact Centre through the 0800601190 number from 01 January to 31 March 2023 is 120721 is tabulated below:
Month |
Calls Answered |
Cases created |
Cases resolved |
Percentage resolved |
Jan-23 |
41994 |
18437 |
16040 |
87% |
Feb-23 |
45300 |
19012 |
16920 |
89% |
Mar-23 |
33427 |
4609 |
3779 |
82% |
Total calls |
120721 |
42058 |
36739 |
86% |
b) Total number of Contact Centre Agents is 88 and the number of Contact Centre Agents handling calls from the toll-free line is 68
END.
10 May 2023 - NW1487
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
In view of most schools in the rural areas still being discriminated against in terms of feeding schemes whereby other learners are not given food because of their family background, what is the policy criteria and/or guidelines that are used for participating in the feeding scheme?
Reply:
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Conditional Grant Framework, as gazetted in the Division of Revenue Act, stipulates the targeting criteria as "provide nutritious meals in quintile 1 - 3 primary and secondary schools as well as identified special schools on all school days". Most schools in rural areas participate in the school feeding programme. The DBE will welcome the names of the schools (in rural areas) not participating for consideration.
09 May 2023 - NW945
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether he will furnish Prof C T Msimang with an update on the (a) status of the amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act, Act 26 of 2000, and (b) details of the reasons for the delays; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) Status of the amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act, Act 26 of 2000
(i) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has conducted a review of the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act, amongst other pieces of legislation, that have a bearing on whistle-blower and witness protection. This is intended to assess the level of protection to witnesses and whistle-blowers, identify and address gaps, if any, in the current legislation.
(ii) This review, which will include consultation with stakeholders and the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, will be implemented by the end of April 2023.
b) At this point, there are no delays as the comprehensive review is on track to be completed as per the deliverables in the State Capture response plan by the President by the end of April 2023.
END
09 May 2023 - NW669
Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether her department has undertaken any assessment on the impact of electricity blackouts on small businesses; if not, why not; if so, (a) what has she found to be the impact and (b) how is she planning to provide support to small businesses to continue operating in the context of a collapsing Eskom?”
Reply:
I have been advised that the department, through the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), conducted a research study in August 2022 on the impact of loadshedding on its funded clients. This study was commissioned as a survey to 1 500 sefa clients, however only 214 clients responded, and the following are some of the findings identified:
-
- Respondents suffered loss of revenue and production due to loadshedding.
- 76% of respondents indicated that they do not have alternative power in place to mitigate the effect of loadshedding.
- To cope with the impact of loadshedding, most respondents indicated that they utilised the loadshedding schedule to plan their business operations and have reduced their production.
- Majority indicated that they require assistance with funding to acquire alternative energy source and assistance with restructuring of their loans in respect of their loan repayment obligation with us.
- Most respondents were operating in manufacturing, retail trade, hotels and restaurants, construction, transport, community services, financial services, agriculture, mining and quarrying.
- Majority of these businesses were in operation for 1 to 5 years.
The DSBD together with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and sefa, is considering the introduction of interventions to address these challenges. The DSBD and its agencies are looking at a three-pronged approach for supporting SMMEs and Co-operatives affected by loadshedding:
(i) The Power Purchase Product (PPP) is an immediate relief for formal and informal enterprises (alternative power sources). It is an initiative of the Small Business Development Portfolio (DSBD, Seda and sefa) to support SMMEs with alternative energy generating equipment (generators and Photovoltaic installations - PV). The programme will be implemented via the existing programme structures as follows:
-
- Informal business to be supported via DSBD’s Informal and Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP).
- Micro businesses to be supported through Seda’s Asset Assist Programme
- Small to Medium enterprises to be supported through sefa’s Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP).
(ii) Guarantee programme via the Bounce Back Scheme administered by Khula Credit Guarantee (KCG) on behalf of government. This is a medium to long term intervention that still require intense discussion relevant parties including the National treasury who are the custodian of the scheme.
-
- Ongoing discussions with National Treasury indicate their interest and consideration of opening up the bounce back scheme to all Development Finance Institutions.
(iii) Consultation with various stakeholders for a broader offering (key focus on promoting innovative ideas).
-
- Ongoing consultations with various departments and relevant agencies with a view of working together to come up with long-term and sustainable energy supply solutions.
The Department is currently awaiting endorsement from National Treasury before all these schemes can be implemented.
09 May 2023 - NW1318
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether (a) bulk water and (b) sanitation infrastructure are listed as national priority areas in his department; if not, why not; if so, (i) how will they be managed and (ii) what are the projected total costs thereof?
Reply:
(a-b) It is the responsibility of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure adequate water availability through the development and management of infrastructure for water resources, as well as enhance the provision of sustainable and reliable water supply and sanitation by local government. The responsibility to supply water and sanitation services lies with municipalities that are Water Services Authorities (WSAs). Regional Bulk infrastructure is provided and managed through Water Boards as water providers.
To deliver on its mandate, the DWS’ plans for water and sanitation services are to:
- Implement 25 large bulk infrastructure projects over the medium term.
- Supporting 44 district municipalities with developing water and sanitation reliability plans over the medium term.
- Assess annual municipal strategic self‐assessments across all WSAs authorities on an ongoing basis.
- Transfer funds and monitor the performance of municipalities that receive funds through the regional bulk infrastructure grant and water services infrastructure grant in terms of the annual Division of Revenue Act.
The DWS monitors the condition of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure through three incentive-based regulatory mechanisms:
- The Green Drop Report, which focuses on sanitation (waste-water treatment systems and effluent quality).
- The Blue Drop Report, which focuses on water (water treatment and water quality).
- The No Drop Report, which focuses on non-revenue water and water losses through leakages.
(i) There are several initiatives underway to improve the management of water and sanitation countrywide which include the following:
- National Government will ensure that grant funding in the water sector is allocated with the objective of restoring functionality of existing wastewater infrastructure according to the findings of the Green and Blue Drop reports. VROOM-informed restoration-focussed grant management will be effected with support from National Treasury.
- DWS as a Regulator will improve the implementation of Section 19 of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) to ensure that directives are issued with timeframes for implementation. Failure to respond will trigger remedial action being taken at cost of the non-complying entity or municipality.
- DWS will take steps to improve its capacity to be more effective in this duty. There are engagements with the Department of Cooperative Governance as well as National Treasury to explore ways of utilising conditional grants for the purpose of remedial intervention.
(ii) The DWS has allocated R23billion from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and R15bn from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant over the medium term. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial support to municipalities to:
- Build new bulk water and sanitation infrastructure.
- Refurbish and upgrade ageing infrastructure.
- Provide secondary bulk infrastructure (new or augmentation projects).
- Develop sources such as boreholes and spring protection.
- Implement water conservation and water demand management projects.
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09 May 2023 - NW1536
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, given the persistent and detrimental impact of cable theft on municipalities across the Republic, which severely undermines service delivery, disrupts the lives of residents and places a significant financial burden on local governments, she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a comprehensive account of the (a) number of municipalities in each province that have reported cable theft at their respective police stations, (b) reasons for any discrepancies and/or lack of reporting and (c) total number of persons who have been apprehended for their involvement in cable theft thus far and (d) success of the current law enforcement strategies targeting the specified criminal activity?
Reply:
The South African Police Service deals with the criminal element of cable theft and vandalism. It is advised that the question be forwarded to the Ministry of Police, who can respond to it appropriately.
End.
09 May 2023 - NW1297
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether she has received a report of monies that were paid by the community of Delmas in the Victor Khanye Local Municipality, to purchase stands which were not found and Reconstruction and Development Programme houses which were not built in Ward 4 in 2007; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Human Settlements has not received any report regarding the above-mentioned matter. The question from Hounouable Member Ceza was referred to the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements and it reported as follows:
1. The Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements is fully aware of the matter and is conducting an internal investigation so as to get all the facts regarding the allegations that monies were paid by the community of Delmas in Victor Khanye Local Municipality. Once the investigation is completed, its outcomes will be shared with the Minister of Human Settlements who will in turn share the same with the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.
2. Currently, the information at the disposal of the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements suggests that in July 2008, the Province appointed the South African People’s Homeless Federation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), as a Support Organisation for the construction of 50 fully subsidised RDP houses, as part of the then Peoples Housing Process (PHP) Programme for R4, 331, 840.70. The project took place in Botleng Ext 3 within the erstwhile Delmas Municipal area of jurisdiction. All fifty (50) fully subsidised RDP houses were delivered and paid for by the Department.
3. In June 2010, the South African People’s Federation was appointed by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements to construct One Hundred and Fifty (150) RDP houses within Botleng Ext 3, still as part of the PHP Programme, within the area which is now under the jurisdiction of the Victor Khanye Local Municipal for R3, 611, 008.00.
According to the provincial department of Human Settlements, this project was subsequently scaled down to Fifty Five (55) RDP houses as some of the beneficiaries could not qualify on Housing Subsidy System (HSS) because they received Seven Thousand Five Hundred Rands (R7 500) as part of the Discount Benefit Scheme from the Independent Development Trust [IDT], providing for serviced sites and Title Deeds to qualifying beneficiaires. Most of these beneficiaries had title deeds due to serviced sites acquired as part of the Discount Benefit Scheme. All fifty (55) fully subsidised RDP houses were delivered but some were not paid in full for by the Department, this due to delays in the submission of claims for services rendered by the said Support Organisation.
09 May 2023 - NW1537
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, in light of the substantial costs associated with cable theft, she will furnish Ms H Ismail with (a) a detailed breakdown of the financial burden borne by each municipality in each province for the replacement of stolen cables, on (i) a monthly basis and (ii)(aa) for the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2023 and (b) how do the specified expenses impact the overall budget and priorities of the affected municipalities?
Reply:
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs does not maintain the data that the honorable member requested regarding the cost incurred by each municipality in each province to replace wires that have been stolen.
End.
09 May 2023 - NW1476
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether her department is responsible for completing the construction of the sports ground in Ward 20 in Moretele which has stood incomplete since 2019; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The sports field in Ward 20 in Moretele is not the responsibility of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It is advised that the honorable member send the inquiry to the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture so that appropriate solutions can be provided..
End.
09 May 2023 - NW1272
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
How does his department intend to take action and implement the activities for students and young professionals in the water sector through the (a) creation of innovation and empowerment of young persons and (b) integration of young and established professionals in the water sector?
Reply:
a) As a response to the specific skills shortage challenge affecting both the Department and the national water sector, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) established the Learning Academy in 2007 which is a technical and scarce skills development programme. It represents an investment in sustaining quality in DWS entry level human resources, thereby ensuring that in the long term, the DWS will remain competitive and be able to deliver on its mandate.The Learning Academy is designed to meet specific organisational requirements, lead a sustained campaign to secure a steady supply of high-level skills in water-related science, engineering, and technical disciplines in order to meet projected demands within DWS and the water sector as a whole.
The Learning Academy responds to the imperatives mentioned with a dual focus by addressing both the academic and professional development components that will provide aspiring engineers, scientists and technicians with the opportunity to be exposed to real-time professional experiences and valuable work experience in order for them to register with relevant professional bodies such as the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the South African Council for Natural Science Professions (SACNSP) and the Geomatics Council for Surveyors (ex PLATO).
The Learning Academy has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with strategically selected Institutions of Higher Learning. The Institutions of Higher Learning serve as administrators of the bursaries and administer the funds on behalf of DWS. As the bursary scheme feeds the Professional Development Component, bursaries are granted pre-graduate to post-graduate levels within a wide variety of scarce, critical and technical skills that can address the needs of DWS and the water sector. The DWS has allocated 1050 comprehensive bursaries to deserving students since 2007.
The Work Integrated Learners are defined in the context of the Learning Academy as individuals who must successfully undertake a period of Experiential Training in order to obtain their academic qualifications. There are 358 Work Integrated Learners that have completed the work since 2007.
The Professional Development Component deals with the development of Graduate Trainees. The Graduate Trainees are predominantly bursars of DWS who, on completion of their qualifications, are appointed and placed in the workplace for a minimum period of four years, where they are exposed to real-time service delivery aspects, skills development and Departmental projects (on-the-job training) under the guidance of a mentor. The trainees are thus guaranteed practical, instructional and hands-on experiences which will allow them to acquire relevant professional knowledge and skills and attain formal professional registration and recognition through the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Geomatic Council or the South African Council for Natural Science Professionals (SACNASP). All Learner Interns and Graduate Interns are appointed as per Directive on Developmental Programme in the Public Service (18 May 2018). In total the Learning Academy has contracted 855 Graduate Interns since April 2007.
b) With regard to the integration of young and established professionals in the water sector, the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA) has an established board of Young Water Professionals that have created a community of Young Water Professionals all over South Africa. The Department has recently established a branch for Young Water Professionals to integrate our newly registered Young Water Professionals into this community and by doing this, empowering them with the latest and best information in the Sector.
In addition to this, the Department has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Wetskills (a Netherland organisation) which will give South African Young Water Professionals the opportunity to participate in international competitions to expose and integrate them into the international water community.
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09 May 2023 - NW1233
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to the Department of Social Development’s third quarter expenditure as at 31 December 2022, what were the detailed reasons that (a) R755,303 million was approved by the National Treasury to be transferred to the Department of Defence and (b) R2,937 billion was approved by the National Treasury to be transferred to the Department of Public Enterprises; (2) whether this was a once off shift of funds; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any other department had funds shifted for this purpose; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what was the Rand value thereof; (4) what (a) is the total value of funds shifted from the Department of Social Development in the 2022 23 financial year and (b) was the purpose thereof?
Reply:
1. The National Treasury regularly revises or transfers funds of different programmes, when allowed by the law, via the Budget or Adjustment processes, published in various Adjusted Appropriation Bills and the Adjusted Estimates of Expenditure. Information is available in such Budgetary documents.
a) R755.303 million was transferred from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Defence to cater for the extended deployment of about 1 495 members of the South African Defence Force members in Mozambique until 15 April 2023. These funds will be used for compensation of employees and for items such as food rations, fuel, ammunition and transport. Additional details on the funding shift are provided on page 80 and 202 of the 2022 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure.
b) R2.937 billion was shifted to the Department of Public Enterprises to assist Transnet SOC Limited to repair infrastructure and assets that were damaged by the floods that occurred in April 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal. The National Treasury has put conditions on the allocation, to ensure that funds are spent towards approved areas and this will be monitored through monthly meetings to be held between the National Treasury, the Department of Public Enterprises and Transnet.
2. The shift was approved by Parliament through the Adjusted Appropriation Act. This was done after the Department of Social Development (DSD) declared savings. This was once-off adjustment.
3. No other departments had funds shifted for these purposes.
4. (a) A total of R9.162 billion savings was declared by DSD in 2022/23 and approved by parliament through the Adjusted Appropriation Act and the 2nd Adjusted Appropriation Act. R5.462 billion in the Adjusted Appropriation Act and R3.7 billion in the 2nd Adjusted Appropriation Act. The shifts in the adjustment budget are described above. (b) In the 2nd adjustment budget:
(i) R2.4 billion was shifted to the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies for the recapitalisation of the South African Post Office;
(ii) R1 billion was shifted to the Department of Public Enterprises for settlement of business rescue plan obligations; and
(iii) R300 million was shifted to the Department of Home Affairs for political party funding.
Despite these shifts, it is likely that DSD has underspent in 2022/23, to be confirmed when DSD submits its Section 32 Report (and the statement) in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.
09 May 2023 - NW924
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he will provide Dr D T George with a full list of the loans provided by the Public Investment Corporation to any (a) person, (b) organisation and/or (c) entity in the past five years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The PIC’s does not provide any loans to individuals in their personal capacity. The PIC invests in companies or entities through the provision of funding using debt instruments that are disclosed in clients’ Integrated Annual Reports and its Annexures, that is available on the websites of the Clients.
09 May 2023 - NW1133
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury intends to implement reforms to decrease the continued support for (a) loss-making state companies, (b) spending on temporary welfare grants and (c) increased debt-service costs which are predicted to see the budget deficit widen to 6,5% of gross domestic product in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2024; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether the National Treasury will heed the warnings from the International Monetary Fund; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1 (a) Between 2012/13 and 2021/22, state-owned companies (SOCs) received about R266.6 billion in bailouts from government, which has crowded out important social and other expenditure. The 2022 Budget Review outlined the need for a new framework for managing bailouts to state-owned companies to reduce fiscal risks and promote long-overdue reforms. In addition, National Treasury has issued an Instruction Note in 2020 (No.09 of 2020/21) on the minimum criteria which must be met before entities submit for approval or concurrence with regards to guarantees, indemnities, security and restriction on borrowings. The above-mentioned Instruction Note has resulted in a decrease in requests for government guarantees from SOCs as a result of requests not meeting minimum criteria. Managing the state’s guarantee portfolio is therefore a key mechanism to decrease the continued support for loss-making SOCs.
(b) The COVID-19 SRD grant has been extended only until 2023/24. Government is still considering various options, including employment and labour market activation initiatives, in providing support to the working-age population. No final decision yet.
(c) Between the 2022 Budget and 2023 Budget, the consolidated budget deficit expected for 2022/23 declined from 6 per cent to 4.2 per cent of GDP. The deficit is projected to narrow to 4 per cent of GDP in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2024 before reaching 3.2 per cent of GDP in 2025/26, as the main budget deficit narrows and social security funds, provinces and public entities move into a combined cash surplus in the outer year. Over the medium term, the composition of consolidated spending improves, continuing the shift towards capital rather than current spending. The medium-term fiscal strategy aims to:
i. Achieve fiscal sustainability by narrowing the budget deficit and stabilising debt.
ii. Support economic growth by maintaining a sustainable fiscal stance, directing resources towards infrastructure, increasing spending on policy priorities and contributing to energy reforms.
iii. Reduce fiscal and economic risks, including building fiscal buffers for future shocks and providing targeted conditional in-year support to key public entities and by taking a portion of Eskom’s debt with strict conditions.
2. To this end, the National Treasury remains committed to narrowing the budget deficit and stabilising debt. In the medium term, this will be achieved mainly by controlling non-interest expenditure growth and the use of a portion of revenue improvements to narrow the budget deficit and keep debt stabilisation on track. In-year allocations are made to mitigate economic and fiscal risks associated with selected SOEs.
09 May 2023 - NW1324
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) are the full details of all the contracts that (i) his department and (ii) entities reporting to him have with G4S and (b) is the monetary value of each specified contract?
Reply:
The Department of Correctional Services has not entered into any contracts with the mentioned service provider, however the mentioned company is a sub-contractor of the Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (Pty) Ltd (BCC) which operates the Manguang Correctional Centre (MCC) as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Correctional Centre under sections 103 – 112 of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, as amended (CSA)
END
09 May 2023 - NW923
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the Public Investment Corporation will use funds from the Government Employment Pension Fund to invest in Eskom in the (a) 2023-24 financial year and (b) any time during the medium-term expenditure framework; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) invests according to the mandates of its clients in line with section 10(4) of the PIC Act as amended. Any potential investment in Eskom will be in line with client mandates or their approval and assessed on its merits taking into account the expected returns and associated terms and conditions, especially the security thereof.
09 May 2023 - NW617
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether sole proprietors will be eligible to claim a 125% tax deduction when they install solar energy panels; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether sole proprietors will be classified as individuals who are only able to claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of solar energy panel installations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Sole proprietors earn business income as the base for the personal income tax. To calculate the taxable business income they would be able to claim depreciation and other capital allowances just like any other business. Therefore, should their investment conform to the requirements of the allowance, they will be able to claim the 125% tax deduction.
2. The rebate of 25% will not be available on any expenses that already enjoyed the 125% deduction against business income. If that deduction was not claimed, then a sole proprietor will be able to claim the rebate.
The policy process for the 2023 tax legislative amendments is underway. The Frequently Asked Questions document that was published on the day that the Minister of Finance delivered the Budget Speech states (and available on the website www.treasury.gov.za) that :
“This incentive will be included in the annual tax amendments. A draft version of the legislation will be published for public comment no later than the publication date of the 2023 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill. The Minister tables tax bills during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October each year. Parliament considers the amendments after which the President can assent to the amendments – usually by January of the year after the announcement. The aim of this note [the FAQ document] and the draft legislation to follow is to provide as much upfront clarity as possible so that individuals do not feel they need to wait for the tax bills later in the year before making a decision to invest and benefit from the incentive. The guidance provided is, nevertheless, subject to the outcome of the consultative process on the proposal and Parliament’s ultimate decisions on the legislation giving effect to the
proposal.”
05 May 2023 - NW969
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department has put any measures in place to resolve the issue of the estimated 600 000 children with various disabilities who remain outside the school system, including the more than 1 000 children with autism in the Eastern Cape who are not in school, some of whom have been on the waiting list for schools for several years; if not, why not; if so, what are the full details of the (a) total numbers of children with disabilities outside the school system in each province and (b) plans of her department to accommodate them in schools; (2) whether her department will consider an adequate and time-bound plan to be put in place to identify, mobilise and place out-of-school children into appropriate schools, which will require an assessment of each learner’s needs to determine support required at an ordinary school and/or special school as a last resort; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1) The Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with Provincial Education Departments, including the Eastern Cape, is working with disability, parents and civil society organisations to ensure that out-of-school learners are placed in schools. In addition, the Department of Basic Education wrote to Provincial Heads of Departments requesting them to ensure that out-of-school learners of compulsory age of attendance have access to appropriate learning programmes.
a)
PED |
ACTUAL |
EC |
1685 |
FS |
697 |
GP |
1772 |
KZN |
957 |
LP |
1216 |
MP |
1120 |
NC |
262 |
NW |
521 |
WC |
1646 |
TOTAL |
9876 |
b) The Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with Provincial Education Departments, including the Eastern Cape, is working with disability and parent and civil society organisations to ensure that out-of-school learners are placed in schools. In addition, the Department of Basic Education wrote to Provincial Heads of Departments requesting them to ensure that out of school learners of compulsory age of attendance have access to appropriate learning programmes.
2) In 2014, the Department of Basic Education promulgated the Policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS), which provides guidance regarding the assessment and placement of learners according the level of support required.
05 May 2023 - NW1426
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
In terms of the Land Access Movement of South Africa judgment, which required her to update the Land Claims Court on a regular basis on the progress made with settling land restitution claims lodged by December 1998, what (a) total number of the claims lodged by 1998 have now been settled and (b) is the total amount in Rands that has been spent on settling the claims?
Reply:
a) Total number of 82 761 claims have been settled since inception until 31 December 2022.
b) R51 billion. The breakdown is as follows:
- Land cost is R25 billion;
- Financial Compensation is R21 billion; and
- Grants is R5 billion.
END
05 May 2023 - NW1417
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether he has been advised that the provisions of the Employment Equity Amendment Act, Act 4 of 2022, which allow him to set specific employment targets for sectors, might encourage employers to pursue manufacturing operations outside of the Republic and/or to computerise, mechanise and/or restructure their operations if they cannot meet the specified set targets, which would lead to higher levels of unemployment and/or the loss of job opportunities in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
It is important to highlight that thus far, there is no empirical evidence to indicate that the employment equity amendments in relation of regulation of sector EE targets might have unintended consequences on employment or in encouraging employers to change their operations to pursue restructuring or computerise and /or mechanise operations. Noteworthy is that, investors and all employers operating within the Republic are required to comply with national labour laws.
END
05 May 2023 - NW1429
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) By what date is her department going to finalise the Lower Zingcuka land claim and make financial compensation to that community and (b) what concrete reasons have been provided to her for the delays in processing the land claim, taking into account the various replies she has provided to the National Assembly over the years, in which the department promised to settle the land claim but failed to?
Reply:
(a) The claim is targeted for settlement in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year. Upon the settlement of the claim, the Department will commence with the payment process and payment will be effected within 90 working days after signing of the distribution agreement with the individual households.
(b) The implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the Department in 2022 had resulted in the discontinuation of financial compensation payment in phases. As a result, this necessitated the Department to also include Lower Nqgumeya and Upper Zingcuka villages in the verification.
The process of verifying and screening those villages took longer than projected, due to the confirmation of legitimate beneficiaries and the delays in submitting the necessary documents by the beneficiaries. The list of beneficiaries has been adopted.
END
05 May 2023 - NW1361
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What (a) is the allocated budget for scholar transport for each province and (b) procedures and processes are in place to ensure that the budget allocated for scholar transport is not mismanaged; (2) whether each province has received their full budget for the 2023-24 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what total number of learners are (a) reliant on scholar transport, (b) provided for and (c) able to make use of scholar transport in each province?
Reply:
1. a)
Province |
2023/24 |
Budget |
|
Eastern Cape |
R 694,000,000.00 |
Free State |
R 102,400,000.00 |
Gauteng |
R 1,046,934,000.00 |
KwaZulu Natal |
R 266,400,000.00 |
Limpopo |
R 466,231,000.00 |
Mpumalanga |
R 464,891,000.00 |
Northern Cape |
R 191,481,000.00 |
North West |
R 450,000,000.00 |
Western Cape |
R 493,299,000.00 |
RSA |
R 4,175,636,000.00 |
(b) Learner Transport Programme is funded through the Equitable share allocations to Provinces by Treasury. Learner Transport Programme is managed through the Learner Transport Policy published in 2015 and responsible Provincial Departments of Education and Transport are responsible for the administration of the budget through their internal controls, Treasury regulations and oversight to ensure accountability for the control of the allocated budget.
2. Yes, Each Province has received their full budget for the 2023-24 financial year. See above table.
3. (a) 875 985 Learners rely on Scholar Transport Nationally.
(b&c) 685 157 Learners are being provided and use learner transport programme. Details below.
05 May 2023 - NW1421
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, what are the reasons that the Huttington Farmer Produce Support Unit, which was completed at a cost of R12 million in 2017 and created around 31 jobs since its inception, has since stopped functioning and has been abandoned; (2) whether any action has been taken against any person to account for the closure of this critical production support unit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. NW1508E
Reply:
1. The packaging facility at the FSPU is not functional due to disputes among the members of the Secondary Cooperative. The Department has on several occasions attempted to intervene, without much success. In addition, the Department is encouraging the Secondary Cooperative to convene an elective Annual General Meeting to ensure that the new leadership is elected. The appointment of the new leadership is likely to address some of the social dynamics within the Cooperative. At the moment, the Department has security services at the FPSU to safeguard the facility.
2. No specific action was taken against any person, especially the officials of the Department as they are not directly responsible for the non-functionality of the Huntington Packhouse. Additionally, the Department intervened by taking the members through cooperative governance training, which covers aspects of conflict resolution. This was done with the hope that the training will equip the members with skills to resolve their conflicts.
05 May 2023 - NW1391
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) progress has been made to appoint a service provider for the provision of court recording technology and (b) measures are in place to prevent a repeat of the interruption of the service, pending the commencement of the service by any newly appointed service provider?
Reply:
a) The procurement process is at an advertisement stage with SITA Bid Reference Number RFB 2713-2022 initially meant to close on the 31 March 2023, however, due to an Erratum that had to be issued by SITA the bid closing date had to be extended to 05 May 2023.
b) The current contract was extended for a period of three (3) months ending 26 June 2023 and this extension is contingent on the long-term maintenance and support contract that is being procured through State Information Technology Agency (SITA) being awarded successfully. The Department is also working on a long-term solution which is a virtual courtroom platform that enables face-to- face online court sessions from anywhere in the country.
05 May 2023 - NW868
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the total number of (a) early childhood development centres for children with special needs in the Republic and (b) trained practitioners for children with special needs in each province?
Reply:
a. There are no specific ECD centres for children with disabilities, but rather a focus on inclusiveness for all children, and as a result children with disabilities are expected to form part of the ECD programmes.
b. In terms of training of ECD practitioners, the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) guides that early learning programmes should be accessible to young children living with disabilities, as set out in the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy as well as in the Children's Act 38 of 2005. This means not only the inclusion of children with disabilities in early learning programmes, but the provision of linkages to other early intervention services to create opportunities for improved access to ECD programmes for all children. Therefore, in line with foregoing, the training provided to practitioners through the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for all levels of ECD qualifications, has a module that deals with children with special needs.
Over and above this, the Department has appointed UHAMBO Foundation which provides training on inclusive practices to ECD practitioners, capacitating them on how to deal with different types of disabilities within their centres.
05 May 2023 - NW1236
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
a) What specific benefits and services are provided by municipalities to farmers who continue to pay municipal rates to ensure that the agricultural sector remains sustainable and competitive and (b) how does her department ensure that the specified benefits are effectively delivered to farmers?
Reply:
Sections 152(1)(c) and 153 of the Constitution state that one of the objectives of local government is to promote social and economic development. These objectives are further articulated in the Municipal Systems Act (2000). The Property Rates Act No. 6 of 2004 enjoins municipalities to impose rates on property, exclude certain properties from rating in the national interest and make provision for municipalities to implement a transparent and fair system of exemptions, reductions, and rebates through their policies.
The Property Rates by laws of municipalities make provision for the following types of Agricultural properties,
(i) agricultural purposes;
(ii) business and commercial
purposes;
(iii) residential purposes;
(iv) eco-tourism or conservation; or
(v) trading in or hunting of game and
(vi) farm properties not used for these purposes.
Successful rural development is critical for the long-term sustainability of rural municipalities. Vibrant local economies generate both demand for basic municipal services and the resources to pay for them.
The Municipalities provide the following services to farmers directly;
Road infrastructure that connects rural areas to urban centres and facilitates the mobility of goods and people within the area. Roads provide the connections necessary for local markets to develop and facilitate the provision of public services, such as ambulances and policing. Good feeder roads (access roads) can allow the supply of perishable foods to high-value urban markets.
The supply of water infrastructure, water treatment plants, sewer treatment plants and distribution networks are maintained by the municipalities. The importance of electricity infrastructure in rural areas cannot be over emphasised. Most municipalities who distribute electricity are responsible for the infrastructure installation, repairs and maintenance of the electricity network on farms.
The rate payable by agricultural properties is usually a maximum seventy five percent (75%) of the residential rate payable. The differential rates are calculated as a percentage differential if the municipality does not provide that service to farms for instance; a 20% differential because the farm owner provides more than ten (10) houses to farm workers or a 5% differential due to the fact that the municipality does not provide rural roads.
Municipal bylaws and policies also provide for the granting of a agricultural rebate in respect of agricultural properties which are solely used for agricultural purposes.
(b) Section 154 of the Constitution enjoins national and provincial government to provide support packages to Municipalities. Multi - sectoral Teams led by the Departments’ senior officials have developed support packages for municipalities in general and those that are dysfunctional in particular. The District Development Model is the mode through which this support packages are imported to the Municipality.
End.
05 May 2023 - NW1420
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) total number of deaths of horses has been reported as a result of the African Horse Sickness since 31 December 2022 and (b) were the main causes of death of the specified horses?
Reply:
a) The table below records the reported African Horse Sickness outbreaks: summary report from December 2022 to April 2023.
Province |
2022 Dec |
2023 Jan |
2023 Feb |
2023 Mar |
2023 Apr |
Total |
|
Gauteng |
1 |
5 |
11 |
33 |
2 |
55 |
|
Limpopo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
KZN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Free State |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
ECP |
0 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
NWP |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
b) The main cause the death of the reported horses that died from African Horse sickness is the disease itself.
05 May 2023 - NW1177
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What (a) steps has his department taken to resolve the plight of the people in the Emalahleni village near Mtubatuba, in KwaZulu-Natal, who may have to elocate and/or risk dying from respiratory diseases that are a result of the mining activities from Tendele Coal Mine and (b) are the reasons that the poor persons of the specified village have to resort to the High Court and nongovernmental organisations to seek protection from the specified mine whereas his department should play the role of oversight and intervene where there is noncompliance?
Reply:
a) The Department is not aware of any specific cases related to respiratory diseases and resulting deaths attributed to the mine relating to the community or its employees. The Department will continue to investigate all complaints received within the prescripts of the prevailing legislation.
b) The Department has been actively involved in facilitating discussions between all stakeholders in due consideration of the Departments regulatory role. The choice to seek alternative relief away from the existing engagements and structures created to facilitate these engagements is the choice of specific individuals and NGO’s.
The Mine continues to engage those who are directly affected in respect of relocations and has signed agreements with a majority of the identified officials. They have advised that they continue to engage those with whom they have not yet reached an agreement. The Mine has also indicated that they will abide by the decisions, directives or requests of the Court accordingly.
05 May 2023 - NW1285
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether (a) her department and/or (b) any of the entities reporting to her have any current contracts with the security company G4S; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of the specified contracts and (ii) is the monetary value of each contract?
Reply:
(a/b) No, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) does not have any current contract with the security company G4S. Security service in the department (COGTA) is provided by Prime African Security and (MISA) is provided by TPD Security Services. All the companies were procured through a public tender.
(i) and (ii) Not applicable
End.
05 May 2023 - NW1316
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, beside the Green and Blue Drop reports, it is her responsibility to quantify the number of municipalities that are affected by sewage spillages and the extent of the damages caused by such spillages on a regular basis; if not, why not; if so, how have the specified reports translated into action?”
Reply:
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is not tasked with regularly estimating the number of municipalities affected by sewage spillages and the magnitude of the harm they create.
Municipalities are required to report, in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act No 36 of 1998, incidents of sewer spillage to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) which is the water services regulatory authority. DWS has the power to issue non-compliance directives in terms of section 20 (4) (d) of the National Water Act, No. 36 of 1998 for failure to take reasonable measures to contain and minimise the effects of incidents like sewage spillages. Furthermore, DWS maintains a National Information System in accordance with section 67 of the Water Services Act No. 108 of 1997 that provides information to enable monitoring the performance of municipalities on Water Services Authority functions including wastewater management.
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), together with all other National and Provincial Departments, have a responsibility in terms of section 154 of the Constitution to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions, including to ensure that wastewater systems are properly functioning well.
Where municipalities fail to perform their functions despite the support provided, the relevant provincial executive and national executive may intervene in accordance with either section 63 of the Water Services Act No. of 108 of 1997 or section 139 of the Constitution.
End.
05 May 2023 - NW1414
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) With reference to the Presidential Stimulus Vouchers for small-scale farmers that should range between R1000 and R12 000, what are the reasons that certain beneficiaries are receiving less than the R 1000 minimum prescribed voucher amount. (b) how has she found will the R7 that has been allocated to a certain beneficiary in Mpumalanga assist in transforming the specified small-scale farmer into a self-sustainable farmer?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) allocates Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) vouchers according to the verified commodity including size of operation. All vouchers that were issued were from R1000.00 as the prescribed minimum amount, no beneficiary received less than the minimum amount. Voucher amounts that appear to be below the prescribed minimum amount are re-issue vouchers after initial redemption was done (balance of the farmers’ allocated awards). The process allowed farmers to partially redeem their vouchers up to five times to use up the allocated amount.
b) No farmer was allocated R7.00 voucher.
05 May 2023 - NW1402
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, in light of the newly revised National Rural Service Corps (NARYSEC) policy 2022, which focuses on three main intervention areas for sustained employment by recruiting youth for skills-development programmes, there have been any successes in the area of job placement and opportunities and the re-skilling and/or training and provision of job placement opportunities for youth trained under the 2010 NARYSEC Policy given the current unemployment rate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes. Some success has been observed in area of job placement.
The NARYSEC programme was mainly focused on providing the youth with skills programmes since inception. In 2022/23 the NARYSEC policy was revised to make provision for partnerships with the private and public sector as well as civil society for exit employment opportunities and business enterprises to increase.
After the revised policy, the first group of young people from rural areas was 705 who reported for the programme in line with the revised policy and commenced their Induction and Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) on 18 July 2022. The youth who completed the programme participated in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) pass out parade. 21 of the 705 dropped out from the programme. Currently 684 youth completed YLDP and are attending skills development programmes with various colleges for a duration of between six and 18 months depending on the type of training programme they have enrolled for. This will then be followed by exit into identified opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure A).
With regard to up-skilling youth trained since 2010, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is currently auditing the learner database by tracing all the young people who have been trained since the inception of the programme, to determine their current economic status. The outcome of the audit will form the basis for the development of a structured up-skilling programme to assist those who might still be unemployed. Since the implementation of the new NARYSEC policy in March 2022, a total of 280 rural youth located in Gauteng and Limpopo have been upskilled during the 2022/23 financial year and have been linked to exit opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure B).
ANNEXURE B OF NA-QUESTION 207 OF 2023
Province |
Economic Opportunity |
No. Youth |
Learning Programme |
Gauteng West Rand District, Sedibeng District and City of Tshwane, Gauteng |
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. Through South West Gauteng’s collaboration with Lulaway, these youth will be place into temporary employment at various Guvon Hotels for a period of 12 months. |
25 |
Skills Programme: Hospitality Reception |
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. As part of the YES Programme with Lulaway, South West Gauteng College will host these youth at their Call Centre upon completion of training for a period of 12 months during which time the youth will receive a stipend. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Contact Centre Management |
|
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. South West Gauteng College will fund these youth for 12 months upon completion of training at various Two Oceans Marketing outlets, which are distribution and merchandising outlets. Youth will receive a stipend during the 12 months from the College. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Wholesale and Retail Operations |
|
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth to place them in a better position to access employment in the areas they have previously been trained in. |
25 |
Skills Programme: New Venture Creation |
|
LIMPOPO Waterberg District Modimolle Mookgophong |
These learning programmes will have direct potential opportunities for the 130 youth upon the completion of their training. Most of the youth to be upskilled have registered enterprises and are already in production. Through the Directorate Cooperative and Enterprise Development (CED), 80 of the youth have been assisted to register primary cooperatives in poultry production and goat farming, while another50 youth are already producing in small scale backyard gardens. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Animal Production (Broiler) |
30 |
Skills Programme: Animal Production (Small Stock) |
||
50 |
Skills Programme: Vegetable Production & Small Business |
||
TOTAL |
280 |
05 May 2023 - NW1419
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the reasons that the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines could not be produced at Onderstepoort Biological Products, resulting in these vaccines having to be procured from the Republic of Botswana instead and (b) total cost did the Government incur for the procurement of the specified vaccines from Botswana?
Reply:
a) The Onderstepoort Biological Products OBP) was never expected to produce Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine. It has never produced FMD vaccines. This is owing to the fact that the disease is classified as a trans- boundary animal disease which is very infectious, and its vaccine should be produced under very strict biosecurity environment. The laboratory capability at the OBP is therefore not suitable for production of this vaccine.
For some years, ARC had been experiencing budgetary constraints, which got exacerbated by dilapidating and aging equipment and infrastructure. Owing to budgetary constraints, the ARC could not retain expertise that brain drained to competing industries. This has resulted in the Department importing vaccine from a suitable facility in Botswana.
b) Government spent R78 286 339 during financial year ending 31 March 2023 in procuring the vaccine from Botswana through the OBP (SOC) Ltd.
05 May 2023 - NW1123
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Considering that according to reports a total of 117 inmates escaped from correctional facilities in the 2020/21 financial year, whilst a total of 34 inmates broke out of correctional facilities in the 2019/20 financial year, what steps are being taken by his department towards (a) strengthening prison security and (b) preventing escapes from occurring?
Reply:
a) The following steps are taken to strengthen security within Correctional Centres:
- Monitoring of the Gang Combatting Strategy and check list;
- Dealing with complaints and requests immediately;
- Protect whistle-blowers/ inmates that provide reliable information;
- Ensure through searching which includes amongst others, cells, bars, windows, inmates and officials, service providers and visitors are conducted daily and recorded on relevant registers;
- The continuous training and adherence to all security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
- Matter of potential escape incidents be elevated to National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structures (Nat Joints/ PROVJOINTS) and other law enforcement structures – to formulate more dynamic and integrated approach;
- Create a data base to record potential escapees/ ex-escapees and attempted escapees;
- Continuous search and clean-up operations.
b) Measures put in place to curtail incidents of escapes are as follows:
- Continuous training of officials on identification and profiling of gangs;
- Monitoring of the escape prevention plan;
- Reduce overcrowding by the implementation of the multi-prong strategy;
- Prevent idleness by subjecting inmates to sports, recreational programmes, social and physiological services;
- Establishment of a well-resourced information gathering teams at centre level to prevent escapes.
END
05 May 2023 - NW1293
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) progress has been made by her department with the investigation into the corruption that took place in the Dr A B Xuma Local Municipality, where millions of rands that were meant to build a stadium were misused and (b) are the reasons that it has taken so many years for the specified investigation to be concluded and those implicated to be held accountable?
Reply:
The Eastern Cape Province's Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs submitted the response listed below. I've been given the following advice as a result:
(a) The MEC established a team to investigate the allegations at Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality. The team visited the municipality to conduct an investigation from 11 to 15 July 2022, and conducted interviews with relevant officials; analysed documentation and obtained evidence. A report was thereafter prepared for consideration by the MEC.
(b) Limitations in terms of the scope of the investigation caused delays in the investigation. Due to the fact that most of those implicated are no longer with the municipality, the office of the MEC referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS), to allow SAPS to deal with the matter.
End.
05 May 2023 - NW1428
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) is the status of the land claim submitted by the Bakwena Ba Mare A Phogole for the restitution of their land and (b) are the reasons that her department has delayed communicating with the specified community to update them on the progress made with the settlement of their land claim?
Reply:
a) The land claim has been referred to court under case number: LCC62/2019 for adjudication on the merits of the claim and the matter is still pending.
b) The Claimants are aware of the status of the matter, they are legally represented and participating in the matter.
END
05 May 2023 - NW513
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to him and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?
Reply:
- SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT
The salaries of the Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Executives are set out in the table below: It must be noted that the salary structure of the SIU is based on an all inclusive “Cost to company” and includes the basic salary, any allowances and contributions to the provident or pension fund.
Response to (a) (i)
and (ii)
(b) The Head of the SIU and the Executives are permanent employees, and therefore
earn a salary, and do not get paid any additional fees to attend meetings.
2. LEGAL AID SOUTH AFRICA:
a) (i) The Total Annual Cost to Company (TCTC) of the Chief Executive Officer of Legal Aid South Africa is R2 400 543.00.
(ii) Details of the Total Annual Cost to Company of the top executive of Legal Aid South Africa:
Position |
Annual TCTC |
Chief Operations Officer |
R1 930 482.00 |
National Operations Executive |
R1 930 482.00 |
Chief Legal Executive |
R2 048 937.00 |
Chief Financial Officer |
R1 688 373.00 |
b) Legal Aid SA executives do not get paid for attending meeting as they are full-time employees at the organization.
3. BOARD OF SHERIFFS
a) The administrative Head of the Sheriffs Board is the Executive Manager as the there is no CEO of the Board. The total remuneration package for the Executive Manager is R1 778 615.04.
b) The Executive Manager does not get paid for attending meetings as this is a full-time position.
4. INFORMATION REGULATOR
a) The Information Regulator (Regulator) is an independent institution established in terms of section 39 of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). It has jurisdiction throughout the Republic and is subject only to the Constitution and the law. It exists to promote the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies and promote access to information. The Regulator is empowered to exercise its powers and perform its functions in accordance with POPIA and the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 as amended (PAIA). The Regulator is accountable to the National Assembly.
b) The Executive Managers do not get paid for attending meetings as it is an inherent requirement of their full-time positions however, the salary scales are as follows:
Position |
Annual TCTC |
Chief Executive Officer |
R2 068 458.00 |
Executive Officers |
R1 590 747.00 |
Chief Legal Officer |
R1 308 051.00 |
Chief Financial Officer |
R1 590 747.00 |
Chief Information Officer |
R1 308 051.00 |
a) (i) The salary of the Chief Executive Officer of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services is as follows:
- Total package = R1347 606. 00 per annum (all inclusive)
- Monthly basic salary = R78 610. 35
a) (ii) Not applicable
b) Not applicable
END
05 May 2023 - NW1291
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department intends to establish a national policy on hair and appearance of learners at all schools to ensure their dignity and religious beliefs, in light of the intolerance amongst certain schools and their management and teaching staff who are now cutting the natural afro hair of male and female black children as has happened at the Endlozana Pimary School in kwaNongoma, KwaZulu-Natal; if not, what is the policy position in this regard; if so, (a) by what date and (b) what steps will be taken against the principals and implicated teachers of such schools in the interim?
Reply:
(a) No. The Department of Basic Education is not intending to develop policy on hair in respect of religious identities of learners. There is sufficient education policy frameworks to guide such matters. The challenge emanates from School Codes of Conduct that tend to require children to dress their hair in a particular fashion. Therefore, the Department is working with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) and the Centre for Child Law to develop an human rights compliant exemplar code of conduct for schools in order to assist schools avoid human rights violations.
(b) Provincial Education Departments will be in a position to support principals and teachers regarding prevention and management of discrimination, prejudice and related intolerance in school management.
04 May 2023 - NW1320
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) total number of subsistence and small-scale farmers who have been assisted from the target of 75 000 which was set in 2020 and (b) breakdown of farmers who were assisted in each (i) province and (ii) district; (2) whether the target has been met; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) A total of 53 286 subsistence producers were supported across all 9 provinces.
(b) Table 1: supported subsistence producers, by province and district.
|
Provincial Totals |
|
Eastern Cape |
9 927 |
|
Alfred Nzo |
1631 |
|
Amathole |
1424 |
|
Buffalo City |
211 |
|
Chris Hani |
1646 |
|
Joe Gqabi |
706 |
|
Nelson Mandela Bay |
364 |
|
O.R.Tambo |
3748 |
|
Sarah Baartman |
197 |
|
Free State |
2 905 |
|
Fezile Dabi |
434 |
|
Lejweleputswa |
385 |
|
Mangaung |
826 |
|
Thabo Mofutsanyane |
1092 |
|
Xhariep |
168 |
|
Gauteng |
2 594 |
|
City of Ekurhuleni |
646 |
|
City of Johannesburg |
676 |
|
City of Tshwane |
544 |
|
Sedibeng |
423 |
|
West Rand |
305 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
13 134 |
|
Amajuba |
658 |
|
City of ethekwini |
1356 |
|
iLembe |
1105 |
|
King Cetshwayo |
2367 |
|
Sisonke |
1003 |
|
Ugu |
1504 |
|
UMgungundlovu |
1024 |
|
Umkhanyakude |
844 |
|
Umzinyathi |
654 |
|
Uthukela |
603 |
|
Zululand |
2016 |
|
Limpopo |
7 707 |
|
Capricorn |
1799 |
|
Great Sekhukhune |
1642 |
|
Mopani District Municipality |
1017 |
|
Vhembe |
2719 |
|
Waterberg |
530 |
|
Mpumalanga |
8942 |
|
Ehlanzeni |
4342 |
|
Gert Sibande |
1825 |
|
Nkangala |
2775 |
|
North West |
5 505 |
|
Bojanala |
1299 |
|
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
447 |
|
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
2138 |
|
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
1621 |
|
Northern Cape |
1 649 |
|
Frances Baard |
214 |
|
John Taolo Gaetsewe |
1108 |
|
Namakwa |
73 |
|
Pixley Ka Seme |
126 |
|
Siyanda |
128 |
|
Western Cape |
923 |
|
Cape Winelands |
112 |
|
Central Karoo |
30 |
|
City of Cape Town |
343 |
|
Eden |
247 |
|
Overberg |
45 |
|
West Coast |
146 |
|
Grand Total |
53 286 |
|
(2) No. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21 resulted in several complexities and time-consuming activities that impacted on the acceleration of the implementation process. The latter includes but is not limited to the following:
- The setting up and operationalisation of the setting electronic systems which impacted on the management of the e-voucher solution.
- The physical verification of approved applicants for conformity to the qualification of set criteria.
04 May 2023 - NW1337
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the reasons that veterinary research done by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)-Onderstepoort does not provide results from a Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme laboratory in the form of phylogenetic trees and vaccine matching; (2) whether the ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research is still a reference centre for foot-and-mouth disease at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organisation; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps has she taken to regain the status; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme always submits reports on time. The information relating to phylogenetic trees is always supplied to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development with each new outbreak and on request.
2. Yes. The ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research is still the reference laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease at the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and Food and Agriculture Organisation.
(a),(b) Falls away.
04 May 2023 - NW1230
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)What (a) is her department’s responsibility in terms of support to Communal Property Associations (CPAs) and other similar community organisations, (b) are the names of the CPAs and similar community organisations for which her department accepts responsibility and (c) CPAs ailed to share their financial statements with beneficiaries in the past three financial years; (2) (a) which CPAs failed to have leadership elections in terms of the periods of service stated in their founding statements and/or constitutions in the past three financial years and (b) what are the details of the steps that her department can take to cause the nominations and/or elections of executives of associations that are in breach of their constitutions and/or founding statements to be held; (3) what options are available to beneficiaries of associations who would like to register with her department their concerns about the possible failure of their associations to adhere to their own founding documents and/or constitutions?
Reply:
1. (a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is required in terms of the Communal Property Associations Act to:
- Appoint a Conciliator (mediator) when there are disputes within a CPA
- Inspection CPA records for monitoring purposes
- Conduct an enquiry into the activities of the CPA
- Subpoena persons who may have relevant information in respect of affairs of CPA
- Require CPA members to conduct elections of new committee
- Place a CPA under Judicial Administration
The Department also assist CPAs to comply; the following are the Department’s interventions:
- Conduct Governance and Compliance training to CPA Executive Committee members and CPA members in general.
- Support CPAs towards compliance by assisting them with updating membership list, amending their Constitution, and facilitating an Elective Annual General Meeting.
b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is responsible for all the 1 750 registered CPAs in the country. See Annexure A
c) The following is a breakdown of CPAs that failed to report on their financial records during the past three financial years. Annexure B
Province |
Financial year |
||
2019 - 2020 |
2020 - 2021 |
2021 - 2022 |
|
Eastern Cape |
170 |
176 |
195 |
Free State |
52 |
49 |
56 |
Gauteng |
22 |
34 |
33 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
382 |
332 |
403 |
Limpopo |
75 |
100 |
160 |
Mpumalanga |
392 |
392 |
394 |
North West |
168 |
170 |
191 |
Northern Cape |
71 |
56 |
71 |
Western Cape |
17 |
27 |
25 |
2. (a) The following is a breakdown of CPAs that failed to report on the validity of term of office for the CPA Executive Committee during the past three financial year.
Annexure C
Province |
Financial year |
||
2019 - 2020 |
2020 - 2021 |
2021 - 2022 |
|
Eastern Cape |
76 |
142 |
111 |
Free State |
0 |
12 |
18 |
Gauteng |
2 |
12 |
16 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
313 |
231 |
308 |
Limpopo |
24 |
29 |
72 |
Mpumalanga |
390 |
389 |
307 |
North West |
134 |
134 |
158 |
Northern Cape |
55 |
47 |
63 |
Western Cape |
2 |
0 |
1 |
(b) The DALRRD has powers through section 11 of the CPA Act to require CPA members to conduct elections for a new committee, if the integrity, impartiality or effectiveness of the committee or any member of the committee is in question. In implementing of this section, the DALRRD issues notices to notify all CPA members of such a requirement made by the DALRRD and if possible, assist the CPA in facilitating an Elective AGM to ensure that these elections take place.
3. In the event that the CPA cannot resolve their own dispute through internal processes as stipulated in the CPA’s Constitutions, the members may refer the dispute to the DALRRD for assistance. The DALRRD must investigate the dispute and determine if the issues fall within the scope of the CPA Act and receive consent from the parties involved for mediation. Mediation takes place, either by an official of the DALRRD or through the Land Rights Management Facility Panel. As a last resort when all interventions proved unsuccessful, the DALRRD can request through the courts to place a CPA under Judicial Administration.
04 May 2023 - NW1384
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
At what stage is the land claim with reference number KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 currently. (2) whether there is a court order pertaining to the specified claim which halted the process of the claim; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of the specified court order and (b) on what date was it issued; (3) whether the court order pertains to any other land claims beside the relevant claim; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and/or reference numbers of the other land claims and (b) is the time frame for the processing and finalisation of land claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25
Reply:
1. The claim is currently at settlement stage.
2. (a) Yes, there is a Court Order under Case number 1590/2000 dated 1 June 2000. The High Court in Pietermaritzburg granted a rule nisi, calling all interested parties to be available before the Court on 23 July 2000 at 9:00 am for a hearing why an order should not be granted on the following terms:
(i) the Applicant is granted leave to alienate to the Zwelethu Community Trust, immovable properties described as portion 104 of the Nelsrust No.849, Erf 126 Thornville;
(ii) any person claiming to have interest which entitled such person to object the granting of such order or intends to object thereto shall notify the Registrar of the Court and Applicants attorney on or before 24 July 2000.
(b) The final order was granted on 28 July 2000.
3. (a) Yes, there is a claim with reference number KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202, which was settled on 9 January 2000 in respect of the following properties:
- farm Meyershoek No. 847,
- farm Onrust No. 848,
- Rem of Nels Rust and
- ptn 8 of Nooitgedacht No. 903 collective extent of 3262.9193 ha
(b) The Department is undertaking more in-depth research to determine compliance within the context of the land rights dispossession that took place in the Baynesfield Estate and conduct comparative analysis of the beneficiaries/households in respect of the section 42 D submission approved on the 9 January 2000. Such should happen using the available source documents which include the approved S42D, signed settlement agreement and court order of 2000. The further research will take approximately 120 days to complete.
04 May 2023 - NW1338
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, based on the recent challenges of animal diseases, she intends to amend and/or repeal the Animal Diseases Act, Act 35 of 1984; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (2) whether, in view of the Republic facing ongoing threats from a range of animal diseases, including African swine fever, avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, her department has a standardised animal biosecurity framework to protect the animal husbandry sector from disease outbreaks; if not, why not; if so, what incentives has the Government put in place to ensure full compliance of the specified framework by farmers?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has sourced and is awaiting legal advice on the Animal Diseases Act 1984 (Act no 35 of 84) and the Animal Health Act 2002, (Act no 7 of 2002). Such advice will help inform the process going forward with regards to these two Acts.
2. Yes. In an industry adopted veterinary strategy, livestock owners as well as other animal owners are responsible for the health and welfare of their animals and ensure that all controlled diseases outbreaks are reported to the nearest state veterinarian or veterinarian to ensure that there is no unnecessary risk to the animal population of the country at large. Even at international level a trend is emerging where efforts to strengthen official state services, requires the active participation and investment on the part of both the public and the private sectors. The South African private sector as well as livestock producers have indicated their willingness to support this approach in their report to the Animal Health Forum. DALRRD continues to draft biosecurity guidelines to assist the livestock sector to prevent diseases and/or mitigate impact of outbreaks. DALRRD audits and assist to bio-secure facilities to assist them access regional and other international markets